About

Bright Beat

We build partnerships and programs that educate + engage. Expanding consciousness and conservation practices, we cultivate positive social and environmental change.

Leadership in Sustainability
Through Bright Beat’s solutions-based consulting practice, we identify opportunities, set goals, measure and manage strategic success. Our multi-level approach to sustainability helps foster and promote change in consciousness and behavior, while reducing costs and conserving natural resources. Bright Beat has built customized solutions for municipalities, corporations, stadiums, special events, food purveyors, beer makers, charities, conferences, and more. Our advocacy work on a city and state level focuses on public-private sector collaboration and building stronger communities.

A social entrepreneur, thought leader and business strategist, Stephanie founded Bright Beat in 2010 with a focus on environmental stewardship and social responsibility. She leads the development, assessment and promotion of multi-faceted sustainability programs for an array of businesses, municipalities, facilities and events, raising the bar for responsible operations and public engagement.

As a respected media and marketing executive representing Chicago radio properties, websites and events, she enjoyed over fifteen years of building strategic partnerships, creating innovative sponsorships, and promoting quality music, artists, events and causes. She continues to create content and event coverage, and has been featured on radio, TV and digital outlets around the world.

Stephanie spent fourteen months volunteering, working and exploring throughout twenty-eight countries, bringing back a refined knowledge of worldwide cultures, trends, opportunities, and needs. Always on the lookout for inspiration, she can usually be spotted bouncing around Chicago and beyond, at concerts, festivals, conferences and events. She is (as are her clients) grateful for her invaluable international network of friends and mentors.

Recognition

Green Music Fest + Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce earned a 2017 Illinois Sustainability Award. Since 1987, the Illinois Sustainability Award has recognized private and public Illinois organizations who have implemented outstanding and innovative sustainable techniques or technologies, demonstrating a commitment to sustaining our environmental, social and economic health. Award winners will be announced in late October.

Green Music Fest took on the challenge of applying for the A Greener Festival Award, delving into all aspects of event operations and critically thinking about environmental impacts. On-site festival production and sustainability programming was evaluated by a well-traveled, eco-expert, and an extensive, nearly 200-line item self-assessment, was submitted for verification. Green Music Fest’s Highly Commended Award is a result of A Greener Festival’s comprehensive sustainability framework, the unyielding support of Festival Founder, Robert Gomez, and leadership of Sustainability Program partner, Bright Beat.

Raising the bar for sustainable event production… Bright Beat’s work on Green Music Fest won the FestForums’ 2016 Best of the Fests: Music Festival Sustainability award for engaging fest-goers and vendors in the successful Zero Waste resource recovery program, the fun people-powered bike stage and so much more. CLICK HERE to HEAR how (and why) Green Music Fest prioritizes these progressive and interactive efforts.

Bright Beat’s policies and structure implemented at MB Financial Park won the US EPA Food Recovery Challenge 2015 Narrative Award for Leadership. Refining practices since 2012, MB Park’s 2015 sustainability strategy helped 1,000 employees and 1.6 million visitors keep food recovery and waste diversion top of mind and properly executed, resulting in the recovery of more than 150 tons of organics.

Good Food Festival & Conference – Chicago, IL – March 16-18, 2017
Panel: Closing the Loop: Effective Recycling and Recovery of Good Food: Discover how the composting and donating of good food can strengthen local soil and the community.

“I applaud the things you have done as well as what you are trying to accomplish, and feel a much more profound impact could be made in what we do if every venue had a position such as yours. Again, thanks for helping the Black Eyed Peas execute their environmental initiatives.”- Jim Beek, Tour Greening Manager Black Eyed Peas

“With the assistance of Stephanie Katsaros and Bright Beat, Allstate Arena has experienced significant savings in waste hauling expenses, we received a valuable energy efficiency grant, sold a green sponsorship and have been recognized in the trades and local media for our "Green for a Reason" campaign. I would recommend Bright Beat's services to any facility or event looking to improve their efficiency, save money and gain recognition in the concert community and beyond.”- Pat Nagle, General Manager Allstate Arena